Larry Stephen Durkin

Durkin, Larry Stephen Age 61, of Lemitar, NM passed away Sunday, August 11, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Armed with ibuprofen and antacids, he had unknowingly been battling cancer for a least a couple of years. On June 12, 2013, with intolerable pain winning over a stubborn determination to wait it out, CT scans revealed end stage bone cancer. Unshaken, he informed the family that if it was God's will, He could heal this as easily as a stubbed toe. If not, "I get to see the Lord and either way I win!" Larry was born in Las Cruces, NM on September 14, 1951, to John E. and Alice (Bonar) Durkin. After growing up in Hatch, NM, this farm boy spent 2 years in the Air Force before he was honorably discharged due to the loss of his father. Shortly after, in 1974, he met Laura and following a "prolonged" 8 week courtship, they married. His illustrious 3 month college career ended with the humble decision he what not going to learn what he needed to know. Larry went on to become a successful mechanic, pilot, flight instructor, farmer and ultimately the full owner, half the brains and most of the brawn of El Air Ag Services. Larry was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and he was loved in every single one of those roles. But more than these, he was a man who loved the Lord with all his heart and lived his life with the ever increasing desire to know Jesus more. He left a legacy of faith that will encourage, convict, and inspire those who knew him for years to come. Holding down the fort in his absence and waiting to see him again are his wife, Laura; oldest daughter Annette and her husband, Danny and their son, Jared; "middle toot" Dawn and her husband, Blake and their son, Levi; son Brian and his wife, Mandy and their daughter, Payton and baby Durkin (still baking); brother, Jack and his wife, Cherie and their two sons Shane and Cale, and their families; his sisters, Bonnie and Karen and her husband, Blaine and their children. Memorial Services will be held in Kelly Hall at the Socorro County Fairgrounds, off Hwy 1, South of Socorro on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 10:00 am. Light refreshments will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to World Challenge at www.worldchallenge.org. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11). To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Larry's care has been entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services 309 Garfield St Socorro, NM 87801 575-835-1530